[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by craigwd

For me I look beyond just benefits to athletes. I look at how sport is positive to the community. First I think about how the facilities need to be maintained no matter what, because nothing lasts forever. And how important places like these are for health and wellness, physical activity, education etc. How I go skating at the Oval every week, volunteer at COP to help young athletes that wouldn't be here otherwise. How a healthier populace is better in the long run than a bunch of couch potatoes.

And then I go beyond the sport because the Olympics are bigger than just sporting events. I think about the arts festivals, the street celebrations, the opportunities my family will have to see people from other cultures and learn about people and arts from our own culture. I think about how nice it is to have something other than the Stampede once in a while. I think about all of the other festivals that branch off as well.

For economic benefits I go back to sport and think about how important that industry is to Calgary. How many national teams, athletes, emerging athletes and former athletes are based here, centralize here, live, work, eat, sleep and train here? How many international athletes do the same? Literally thousands. Then I think of how it's all repeated when another world cup or world championship is held here.

Finally I think of how much fun it will be because, while some people are just bitter and care about their own small circle, I like to interact with my community and make Calgary better as much as I can.

Craigwd, you are much more of a community minded/civic person than myself(I definitely am not one at all), kudos to you... I get your reasons and I am sure many hold the same views as yourself, I guess that is what the plebiscite will tell. The culture and arts celebration would definitely be a bonus, but in my opinion, not at the cost of what the olympics from a financial point. This coming from an individual whom thinks Calgary needs an influx of culture/vibrancy, as I feel the city for the most part is boring and dead. Definitely needs more culture than Stampede. It is the price tag that is concerning.

There is definitely merit to the facilities when it comes to physical education and health. However I feel that can come without the expenditure from the games. The cost for security alone would fund many new facilities from which the general public could use.

Reality is, if the amount of expenditure from the international athletes can be shown and proven to be more than what the facilities cost to build/maintain then i would be swayed. At least with international athletes, its not costing our tax dollars for them to live and train. As mentioned I am a firm no against government funding for any athlete(to live and train) for the olympics/world championships, that should come from the individual or corporate dollars. You want to win a gold medal, use your dime to train and live and get it, not tax dollars.

If the city wants the public to vote yes, they need to be 100 percent with the costs associated for the games. Even with that happening, there is no guarantee they would stay on budget, most certainly wouldn't. It will be interesting to see how the vote goes. As of now, it'll take a lot for me to say yes. Many of those in my own circle are of similar mindset overall as well.